Boehner makes surprise trip to Iraq

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) led a bipartisan delegation into Iraq Tuesday evening following two days of congressional hearings on the situation there.

Democratic Rep. Charlie Wilson (Ohio) joined Republican Reps. Pete Hoekstra (R-Mich.), Pete King (R-N.Y.), Patrick Tiberi (R-Ohio), Tom Latham (R-Iowa) and Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) on the trip.

{mosads}Boehner’s office declined to say when the group will return from Iraq, citing security concerns.

A spokesman for the minority leader said the delegation will attend a series of briefings during the trip that will cover various issues. These include the improved security situation as a result of the troop surge, the progress of grassroots political efforts on local and national levels and the “tactical momentum” that has been achieved in the fight against al Qaeda, as well as the challenges that are still ahead, according to the spokesman.

Last year over the July 4th recess, Boehner traveled to Iraq with Nunes, Reps. Jim Saxton (R-N.J.), Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.), Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) and former Rep. Jim Ryun (R-Kan.).

Boehner, who is an unwavering supporter of President Bush’s troop surge, has repeatedly chided Democrats for their ceremonial votes on ending the war and urged his conference to reject any attempts to de-fund operations in Iraq.

“I’ve always said that our decisions should be based on the facts on the ground and the recommendations of our commanders, and having heard from General Petraeus this week, I’m eager to get a firsthand look at both the progress we’ve made as a result of the surge and challenges that still lie ahead,” Boehner stated prior to his departure. “Most importantly, I wanted to thank our troops for their service as they continue to fight al Qaeda in the central front of the war on terror.”

Gen. David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker have briefed Congress this week on the situation in Iraq.

The trip will mark Wilson’s first trip to the region. He is the only freshman in the congressional delegation and began his journey to Iraq with a very different take on the conflict than his Republican colleagues.

“The American people deserve an honest assessment of conditions in Iraq, and the Bush administration’s effort to manipulate the facts is unacceptable,” he said. “As a member of Congress who will be asked to vote on this war very soon, I need to go and see for myself what the situation is.

“The troops have heroically done their jobs. They’ve done everything we asked them to do. The big question is how much more can we ask? And for what? The troops have done their damndest,” Wilson added. “I’m just not seeing much evidence that the Iraqis have done their part. I’m not questioning the troops, but I am questioning the political strategy. How are the next six months going to be any different than the past several years?”